Trying to get back in the colorin' groove...

[Rage M.]

So for a while now I've been recently getting out an unusually long creative block and I'm slowly crawling back into getting some sort of drawing done. But for whatever reason I just seem to have trouble trying to do some coloring again. Whenever I do attempt to do some I usually end up just erasing it over and over again and I'm just left with a sketch.

What are some good coloring exercises to do to help alleviate this little curse of mine? Brotha gotta start producing again yo.

Also I've been seeing the term "blocking in" being thrown around here and there. Been trying to figure that out but I can't seem to get it down properly. Some tips on that would be nice too.

[Psychotime]

Off topic, your avatar reminds me of Dirk Erik Schulz.

[Alex Chow]

Also I've been seeing the term "blocking in" being thrown around here and there. Been trying to figure that out but I can't seem to get it down properly. Some tips on that would be nice too.

Blocking in is the process of slapping on flat colours. As far as I've researched, those flat colours tend to be the local colours of the piece, ignoring light source(s) into the equation for the time being. It tends to be done after a sketch has been established and can make colouring much more comprehensible after the "blocking in" process.

It kind of made me go "Wow, why didn't I think of this?" when I've first read about this in one of Bobby Chiu's books recently.

I'm not sure what troubles you're facing (nor am I the best guy to help you). You could maybe elaborate a little bit so it is clearer.

[Rage M.]

@Psychotime: It should because it was drawn by him (his representation of one of my old characters). :V

@The Amaranth: Well the main problem I seem to have with blocking in is getting it detailed afterwards. I've been particularly interested in coloring styles such as this or this so I've been experimenting in Painter for a little while trying to get a "hand-painted" look. I always tend to fall flat when it comes time to blend since it looks sorta "muddy" after I try it. Maybe I'm not using the right colors (or not enough), or it could be just the method I've been trying just using the default blenders. :X

[Bowlin]

As far as I've researched, those flat colours tend to be the local colours of the piece, ignoring light source(s) into the equation for the time being.

This can be really confusing, because you should get the local "tone" down right in those flat colors according to lighting conditions, but don't need to be overly concered about the local colors just yet.

And here's a link for underpainting and blocking in.